Trigger Point Dry Needling

What is Trigger Point Dry Needling?
Trigger point dry needling is a treatment technique, which uses small filament type needles to release tight muscles with the goal of permanently reducing muscle pain and dysfunction. Also known as; trigger point therapy, Trigger Point Needling, TPDN, TDN, triggerpoint, dry needling and IMS (intramuscular stimulation). Physical therapists/physiotherapists are now using this technique around the world to effectively treat acute and chronic orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions. TDN can help you more efficiently treat your patients and improve your outcomes. To access the upcoming trigger point dry needling courses and TDN Training please see our schedule under the "Training" Tab.What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is the use of a solid needle for deactivation and desensitization of a myofascial trigger point which should stimulate a healing response in that tissue and reduce the biomechanical stress of the muscle treated. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_needlingWhat is Myofascial Pain?
Myofascial pain syndrome is a disease of the muscle that produces local and referred pain. It is characterized by a motor abnormality (a taut or hard band within the muscle) and by sensory abnormalities (tenderness and referred pain). It is classified as a musculoskeletal pain syndrome that can be acute or chronic, regional or generalized. It can be a primary disorder causing local or regional pain syndromes, or a secondary disorder that occurs as a consequence of some other condition. When it becomes chronic, it tends to generalize, but it does not change to fibromyalgia. It is a treatable condition that can respond well to manual and injection techniques, but requires attention to postural, ergonomic, and structural factors, and toxic or metabolic factors that impair muscle function. Gerwin, Robert D. "Classification, epidemiology, and natural history of myofascial pain syndrome.(Author abstract)(Report)." Current Pain and Headache Reports 5.5 (Oct 2001): 412(9). Academic OneFile. Gale. BCR Regis University. 27 Oct. 2008What is a Trigger Point?Classic Definition
The term "trigger point" was coined in 1942 by Dr. Janet Travell to describe a clinical finding with the following characteristics:

Pain related to a discrete, irritable point in skeletal muscle or fascia, not caused by acute local trauma, inflammation, degeneration, neoplasm or infection.

The painful point can be felt as a band in the muscle, and a twitch response can be elicited on stimulation of the trigger point.

Palpation of the trigger point reproduces the patient's complaint of pain, and the pain radiates in a distribution typical of the specific muscle harboring the trigger point.